CA1278669C

CA1278669C - Plastic fasteners

Info

Publication number: CA1278669C
Application number: CA000492980A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Thomas William Mcsherry; Nathaniel Henry Garfield
Original assignee: Mechanical Plastics Corp
Current assignee: Mechanical Plastics Corp
Priority date: 1984-10-22
Filing date: 1985-10-15
Publication date: 1991-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2008-01-08
Also published as: AU5064185A; EP0399574A3; MX163081B; KR940003913B1; DE3587904D1; DK292186A; KR880700200A; DE3581932D1; DE3587904T2; BR8507004A; JPS62501095A; ES548068A0; NO862431D0; JP2590308B2; ZA857955B; US4673150A; DK292186D0; EP0399574B1; EP0198902A4; ES8609610A1

Abstract

PLASTIC FASTENERS

ABSTRACT

One piece, integrally molded fasteners and methods for their use. A harness 100 comprising a base 102, and elongated flexible strap 104, and a toggle-type 106 lock for holding a bundle of wires or cables together. A rack hook 200 comprising a channel portion 202, a hook portion 204, and a toggle-type lock 206 wherein the hook portion extends upward from and is directly supported by the channel portion. A
rope 300 anchor comprising a pair of legs 302, 304 and annular ring 306; and a toggle-type lock 310, wherein the annular ring is integrally connected to top ends of the legs, and the lock is integrally connected to bottom ends of those legs. A
ceiling anchor 400 comprising a base member 402, expansible locking means 406, object attachment ring 408, and optional cover plate 422. A deck anchor 450 comprising base member 452, flange 454, reinforcing channel 458 and expansible locking means 456.

Description

PLP~S'TIC FASTi~:NERS

lBAC~GROUND OF SHE I NVEN~ N

1. Technical Field Thi~ invention generally rel~te~ to plastiG
f~ener~, ~n~ ~ore particularly ~c~ pla~tic f~steners s:~f tl3e type t~aving expandable ls ~ing ~ean~ or ~ecurely maintaining the fasteners in pl~ce within Qn opening.
1~

2. ~~1 ~C
Plastie fa~tening devi~es having expar da~le l~cking ~e~ns ~re ~ell Icnown. For exunple, ~ever~l fas~cening ~evices of 'chi~; ~ype are described in detail in United St~tes P~cen~
3t651~734r llhile these devic2s work ~ery well in a wide range ~f applicati~n~ t~ere is rs:~m for improvement of them in ~everal ~mportant r~pects.
For example, c>ne type of such f astening device include3 a hook pc~rtion, ~nd a plur~lity of these devices ~re c~ommonly ~ecured to a wall to hold a rac3c, such as ~ tool s~ck or a merchandi~e display r~ck, up Ag~in~t that wall.
The~e p~rticular fa~teninq devic~s ~re norm~lly locked ~ithin a wall opening by me~n~ of ~ wrew that ~B in~erted through a ~crew opening in the device and th~t eng~ges ~ toggle loGk thereof to hol~ th~t loc~ in an oYercenter positi~n. The hook p~rtion~ of the~ f~steners are ~paced ~n ~ppreci~ble di6t~nce fro~ the ~pecific por~ion~ of the ~evices th~t ~rm t~ose screw openings, ~ t~at, in U~2, t~e ~crews inserted through the acrew openings do not directly ~upport the hook portions of the fas~ener~ ~r any wei~ht ~ounted here~n.
Thi~ problem woula ~so exi~t when the~ fastening devi~es are ~ecured to ~eilings, an~ a ~imilar problem i~ encountered when othcr types of fnstening d~vl~ec are ~t~ch~d t~ floors or ~e~k~ ~nd us~d ~ ~upp~r~s for o~er ~tructur~l ~emb~rs.

Al~;c>, nc~ prior ~rt device of the general type outlinod ~bove ha~ been ~pecif~ca:lly de~i~ned ~or use ae~ a h~rn~ hat ~y b~ ployed to g~lthQr ~c~ge~h~r ~ bundle of ~ir~ or eabl~8, ~nd ln ~arti~ular, th~ sy b~ used t~ hold 6 t~gether ~ire or cable bundl~ of ~e~ri~ul; th~:knes~e~.
~r~ ver, prior Art fa~ener~ o the gen~ral ~ype previ~u~ly doE~cribed have not l~ell particul~rly designed for ateachnent to rope~3 or cable~ tt, the t(sg~ lo~k E; of the fa~tener~;
to ~ttach the rope~ or ~abl~s, ~ de~ired or needed, to oe other dsvlc~ ~uch ~s 311 bræcket or rlns~ 'cha~, ~n ~urn, FiDidly ~ecured to a ~at deck or Clock, or ~o ~ ceil~ns;l, ~lQorr or ~all ~e~ber.

~UMMARY OF T~E INVENT~ON
One OE~b~di~ent ~f this lnvention i5 ~ one piece, lnte~rally ~olded pl~st~c ~ire h~rnes~ Go~pri3ing ~ ba e D~mber, ~n ~longated flexible ~tr~p, ~nd exp~n~ible loeking ~eang. A flr~t ond portion o~ the ~tr~p ~ ~ntegr~lly conn~cted to the b~e ~e~ber, ~ ~econd end portion of the 2~ strap 18 ~p~ced therefrom, and the strap include~ ~ultiple teeth for ~ngagin~ the b~e me~ber to ~ecure the ~econd end poreion of ~h~ ser~p thereln. The ~xpan~ible locking ~eans ~læo inte~r~lly connected to the ba~e ~ember ~nd includes ~ to~gle lock expand~ble rom a collapsed po~itlon, in which 25 the toggle lock c~n be lnserted through ~n opening, into ~n o~ercenter exp~nded pc~ition to lock the wire h~rness within the ~pening.
The base ~e~ber lnclude~ a p~ir of notche6 to receive ~eans for holding Dr locking the tocgle lock in the 30 exp~nded pc~6iti~n. ~ , the b~se ~ember for~s a transver~e ~lot to receive the ~ecc~nd end of the ~trsp ~n ~ cli~e islidin5~ f~t ~nd to ~ar~e the t~eth of the ~rnp lntt:3 pressure ~ngn~e~ent ~ith the bal;e ~eDIber. This ~lot ha~ oppo~ite ~ir~t and second tr~n~ver~e ~nd. ~ach c>f ~h~ct lg ~ap~ced to 35 receive th~ ~eeond ~nd o the strap.

~ ~'7~

Thi~ wi~e h~rne~ nay be s~asily u~ied t~ hold a l:>undl~ of ~ire~ to~th~ t the s~m~ tl~ne, the ~stener i~
ve~y ~ le ~o in~it~ nd ~o los k within ~n oponing, sus:h D.5 wall ope~nin~, ~nd ~n pnrticular~ ehe bzl~;e ~mber ~f the f~stener does no~ inter~ere ~ith loeking the ~6tener ~ithin th~t opening . ~lso, th~ wi2:e h~lrne~s i~ ~i~ple ~nd ineXpen~i~e to ~anufæ~ture, and ig made from a pla~tic by ~e~n~; of an inexpen~ive lnjeetion ~nolding process.
The harn*~s ~ay b~ u~ed to ll~op a burldle of wire~
~10 to~ether in either ~f t~o ~ 'cly different lc>cations, better ~nabl ing the u~er of ~he t~rness tt~ iinE;ure tha~c the wire bundle i8 held at a preferred loca~ion. In additic:~n, with 1~ pref~:rred embc~diment of this invention, when the 6trap i~ inserted into the 810t through a fir~t particular end thereofr the strap it~elf does not interf~re with l~cking the toggle lock in its expanded positi~n. Further, with this preferred arrangement, the ~ame screw t~at i~ u~ed to force the t~ggle l~ck into it~ locked position may als~ be used to lock the ~trap within the Rlot for~ed by the base member of 2n the f~stener.
Another ~spect of the invention relates to a one-pi~ce integrally mc~lded plastic Anchor c:omprising a base member having a channel portion, an elongated extension connected t~ the b~se ~ember and expansible locking ~eans 25 connected to the base ~ember ~nd having ~ collapsed portion for in~ertion through an opening as ~ell a~ an over center ~xpanded pc)siti~n to lock the anchor within the opening. The b2se ~embmer of the ~n~hor 21~0 define~ ~n open path~ay to receive ~s&ns ~or pushing the l~ckin~ ~eans into the expanded 30position. Pre~erably, tlle elon~ted exten~ n is a cylindric~l or ~quare tube~ ~nd it is intended to ~upport ~tructural ~lement ~uch ~ a thr~aded rod or b~r.
A further emb~di~ent of the invent~on rel~es to an integr~lly ~olded ~wo part pla~tic fs~ener ~or holding or 3~upporting ~t l~ast ~ne ~tem ~omprising co~Pr ~eans and an Anehoring ~ember. The ~nchoring mlembs~r CompriE;eS ~ body ~ember h~ving ~e~n~ for ~ttachment to the cs7~er ~neans, exp~n~iblæ locking ~neanE; cDnnected to one ~nd of the body me1~nber ~nd havin5~ a coll~psed po~ition for lslsertion thrc)ugh an openinç~ well aE; ~n oYereen~er expanded po~it~n to lock tlhe a~nc:ho:r ~ithin ~he opening~ ~nd laean~; ~Eor holdinsl c~r ~upportin~ ~trl;ctur~l ll;e~5. Sbe holdin~ or E~upporting loe2lns i~ connec~ed eo ~he en~ of t~e body ~ember oppvsit~ ehe ~xp~n~;ibl~ loekins~ ~e~n~; ~nd i~3 pref~r21bly a hc>ok o~ rin~. A
10 preferred a~tachment aean~ Compri~e~ a ~hreaded area loçated on the ext~rior of the body mem~er and a ~orre~pondingly threaded area c>n the interior surface of the cov~r ~eans.
The cover means i~ preferably a circular disk having 1~ central ~perture whieh i~ dimen~ioned and threaded tc> correspond to the threading on the exterior c)f the body De~ber.
A~other embodiment i8 ~ one piece~ integr~lly molded plastic rack hook compri~ing ~ channel portion, a hook portion, and expansible locking means. The hook pDrtion 2~ ex~ends upw~rd from and is directly ~upported by the channel portion. The ~xpansible locking ~eans is also connected to the ch~nnel portion of the rack hook. The channel portion has ~ longitudinal channel opening to receive means to hold the expan~ible locking means in an expanded po~ition. This 25 longitudin2l1 channel opening i~ loc~ted directly below the ho~k portion to facilitate using the holding means to directly support the hook portion. Alsot thi~ r~ck hook is Yery simple And inexpensive to manufac~ure and is made from a plastic in ~n injection ~olding proce~s.
~ further type of fastener ~n Rccordance with this ~nvention ~ a one piece, integrally ~olde~ plasti~ rope anehor compri~ing ~irst ~nd ~econd lon~itudinally ~xtending legsr an annular ring, ~nd expansible locking ~e~ns. The fir t ~nd second legs are ~paced ~part, ~nd th~ ~nnular ring 35 i8 integrally connected to the top ends of those-legs. Shis t78~q~

ring for~ 4 ~,ntr~l openin~ h~vin~ ~ tr~n~ersely extendinq axis. The ~;tp,~nslble lociting IE~an~ i% cs~nnect~d to bottom ~nd~ o~ ~e f ir~t ~nd ~cond le~s .
In ~ ~anrl~r discu~sed lm d~t~ lgs~O thi5 ~li fa~t~n~r ~y b~ u~d t~ t:onnoet a rope to ~noth~r object ~uch ~8 ~ rlng on ~ pior or a dock In ~ ~cry quick, ~cure, ~n~
r~ ble la~nn~r læ~lld9 ln p~r~icular, ~i~ho~t requiring thet th~ rope ~ tl~d ~round or to th~l: o~hor obj~ct. ~ the~ ;6a~n~
ti~e, thi~ a~tQner, ~oo, 1~ very ~i~npl~ ~nd ~nescpen~ive to ~anufaeewr~ ~nd i~ fon~d by a pl~stic ~at@r~ n in~ction ~olding pr~s.
~ urthor b~n~it~ arid ~dv3nta5~ f the invention ~ill bocoDIe Appare~nt ~rom ~ ~on~ raeion of th~ ~ollowing cripeisn 91~n ~ h r~erenc~ ~o th~ ~c~o~npanying drawing ~igur~ ~r~ch ~poeify l~nd ~how pref~rr~d ç~n~bodi~ent~ of the p~e~ent ~n~ntion~, BRIEF DESCRI~TION OF TQE J3~WING5 Figure~ 1 and 2 ~re ront and l~e ~ie~w~;
a~3 r~8pectivoly of ~ pla~ e ~ir~ harne~ ~n accord~nce ~i~h the l?ro~nt inv~ntion.
~ igur~s ~ nd 4 l~re top v~eYs t~ n {~long llne 3-3 of ~igur~ th port~on~ s~f th~ ~ir~ harn~ brok~n away in F~guro ~.
~lguro- 5 and 6 ~re ~id~ w~ of e~l~ h~rne~
:Illu~trAtod ~n Fi~ur~ 1 throuD~l 4, ~ith Fi5~uro S ~howinç~ the ~long-e~ ~trap of the harn~s~ f ~or ~ing ins~rtod ~n a f~r~t dir-ction through tb~ lot tl2~reo~, ~n~ Fi~uro 6 ~showi~g ~ lonSI~t~d ~r~p ~ r b~ing ln~ort~d in ~ ~ocond D dir~ction through tl-~ Jlf~t.
r~ top ~ tak~n ~long l~n~ 7-~ of ~$gur~ C.
ur~ are~ 9 ~re fron~ ~or~p~ct$~ Piæ~ of ~n ~lt~rn~t~ ~last~c wlr~ llarne~.

~1 ~t~ 3 ri~jjUre~B 10 tlhrough 13 ar~ p~r~poctlve vi~w cf a third pl~ic ~ire h~rne~ ln ac~ordanc~ ~ith th~s lnvention, ~ith pc~rt~t~ns, of th~ ~ire harnel!ls ~rt3~t~n ~way ln l~ure 13.
~ i~ur~ nd 15 ure persp~cti~ o~ 4nother alstiC ~ir~? h~rne~ 7ith p~r~ior~ f lthi~ rno~ broken illWay 1-1 F~ure 15.
P'i5;ur~s 16 ~nd 1~ ~rs~ lo an~ ~ron~ w~
r*sp~ctiY~ly o ~ pl~lc ~11 h~ngor ~n ~ccordanc~ ~ith ~hi~
lnYæntiDn .
~ Ef is3ureB 1 13 ~nâ 19 ~ro tc~p end ~id~ vi~w~
respei:t~v~ly of ~ i~s~t pl~t~C ropo ~nchor Ibuilt ~n acco~d~nc~e ~th the prese:nt in~rontion.
~ i~ure 2al if~ tlona~ ~iew ~ken ~lon0 llne 20-20 of ~ur~ 18.
t5 Fi~ur~ 21 ~ a to~ viow ~l~ll-r to Figure 18 ~nd ~ho~in5J th~ rop~ ~nch~r ~onE~eet~d to ~noth~r ob~t.
~ i~ur~s 22 ~nd 23 ~re top ~nd 31idæ vios-~ vf ~eeond pl~st~c rope ~n~hor ~l~o in ~eeordanee ~ith this invention .
ur~ 24, 25 ~nd 26 ~r~ ~ec~lonal ~ takon along lines 24-2!40 25-25 and 26-26 respectively of ~igurn 22.
Pigura 27 1~ a top viow of ~lssti~ ~nchor in accord~n~ ith th~ invcntion. F$gur~l~ 28 arld 29 ~re sid~
iew~ o~ th~ pl~ti~ ~nchor of ~igur 27.
Erigur~ 30 ~nd 3~ ~re ~ide ~nd ~ront Vill~W8, r~p~ctively, of ~ eov~r plato llqhich e~ln bo us~d in eon~unction ~ith ths ~lustie llnchor o~ Fig~r~ 27.
~ ur~ 3~ top ~ Dnoth~r anchor of the pr~nt ~nv~ntion.
rlQur~ 33 i~ ~ ront v~ of tl-~ ~la~tlc ~nchor o~
~i~ur~ 32~
~ lguro~ 3~ and 3~ r~ ~ido Yi~ o:l~ tho ~nchor of Fiçlur~ 32.

7 `~ ifi~3 DET~ILi:D DESCRIPIION OF T11!E PRE:FI:RRI~;D E:MBVDIME:NTS

ure~ 1 throus;h 7 ~how ~l~stic ~dire harnes~ 100 en~rslly COEnpri~insl b~e ~em.ber 1t12t elonSI~t~ ~lexible ~tr~p 104, and ~xpen~ible loc~cing 3b~an~ 106., ~ore ~pecific~lly~ b~e ~ember 102 ~ncludes t~7pi botts:~ and ~ide e~alla 110, 112 ~nd 114 and ~Elexibl~ B~rap 104 include~
~ultiple teeth 11l; ~nd ~ultiple ~peninçJs 120. Exp~nsible lccking ~ean~; 106 includes firE;t ~nd second tc~slgle ~ ; 122 ~o Isnd 124, pivotal e~:>nnectin~ joint 126, ~nd fir;t ~nd sece~nd flexible e:orlnecting arms 130 and 132. ~rhe ~ariou~ p~rts of wiFe t~arneg~; 300 are formed together frc>m ~ resilient plastic in an in~ection molding process. Suitai:?le mat,erial~ for the ~:ons'cruetic>n c>f ~ir~ h~rness 101:1 ~nd the other ~sstener embodiments described below include polypropelene~
polyethylene~ d~nd nylon~ ~i ~ell a ~ wide ~alriety Of tterials which ~ZIy be cho en with consider~tion to the fastener con~i~uration, the manner of formation, and the lntended u~e.
Top ~nd bottom walls 110 ~nd 112 of base m~mber 102 are sp~ced ~part, are ~ubstantially parallel, and form ~lot 134 which extends completely through the base member. Side wall~ 114 extend between ~nd are connected to left and right edges of top and bottom walls 110 ~nd 112, spacing those walls apart. ~ottom wall 112 includes front ~otch 136 th~t ext~nds rearw~rd from a front edge of ~he bottom wall, ~nd tc~p ~all 110 foFms b~ck notch 1~10 t~lat extends ~Eorward frvm a back edge ~f the top wAll. P~rtions of nc~tches 136 and 140 overl~p ~ h~ly, f~r~i~ 3 l~ngitudinal opening o~ pbthway 3D throuyh base member ID2.
Exp~nsibl~ lockin~ ~e~n~ 106 i~ in~egrally connected to b~se ~mber 102 ~nd is pr~vided to ~ecure ~ire h~rne~s 100 within an openin~ ~uch as ~ ~all op~ning, More ~pecifically, flexible connecters 130 and 132 ~re ~oined to 35bottom wall 112 of baRe member 102 and extend downward and -8~ 786f~9 ~utward therefrom. ~ateral ends o~E toggle arms 122 and 124 nre ~ntegrally c~nne~ted t~ the bottom outward ~nds of connector-ar~s 130 ~nd 132. T~ggle ar~s 122 ~nd 124 tran~ver~ely extend ~cr~s~ the bottom ~f harn~ 100, ~nd eentr~lly loc~ted end portion of the toggle ember are ~oined together by ~ntegr~l pivot~l e~nnection 126. Pivotal conncction 126 h~s a reduced thickne~s ~n compari~n to the thieknes~ of toggle ~rm~ 122 and 124, ~nd the pivotal connection fo~ms a ~all centrally located opening 134 that i8 longitudinnlly aligned with the overlapping portions of notches 136 and 140. Flexible connecters 130 ~nd 132 are l~terally ~paced apart to define a central open area 142 into which the pivotal connection 126 and centrally lo~ated end portion~ of toggle arm~ 122 and 124 move upon coll~pse of the locking ~trueture.
Flexible ~trap 104 ~8 integrally c~nnected eo base ~ember 102 and longitudinally extends upward therefrom. More particularly, ~trap 104 has a ~ubstantially rectangular ~hape, a first longitudinal end of the ~trap ~s integrally 20 connected to a front edge of wall 110 of base mem~er 102, and ~ ~econd longitudinal end of the ~trap is 3p~ced from the base ~ember. The front ~urface of ~trap 104 forms teeth 116.
Teeth 116 extend transversely across ~trap 104, and are longitudinally distributed ~long a major portion thereof.
25 Upper ~ides of teeth 116 have a relatively gradual ~lope, and lower sides of the teeth have a compar~tively sharp slope.
These lower sides of teeth 116 have arcuate sh~pes. Openings 120 Are al~o longitudin~lly distributed along a ~ajor portion of ~tr~p 104, ~nd preferably each tooth 116 forms one opening 30 120 centrally located ~etween the le~t and right ~dges of strap 104.
In use, ~eeond end of ~trap lQ4 iB inserted through ~lot 134, and thi~ end of the ~trap tapers inward to f~cilit~te inserting a strap into the 61Ot. ~he widt~ of 35 strap 104 i~ ~lightly less th~n the width of 810t 134; and 3~

the depth of the 6trap~-tlhat i~ its left to right dimension as viæwed ~n ~l~ure 2~-~t the peaks ~f teeth 116 i6 ~ htly greater tllian the helght of lot 134. The l~ns~th o strap 104 slay Y~ry, s~f co~Jrs~9 depsndirlg orl the particular applieation ~; for wire h~rr.ess 100.
To u6e wire h~rness 100 ~ l~ bundle of wires is 5~athered tc~ethe~ nd strap 104 ~ l~oped around that bundl~
~nd ~ns~rt~d th~nuS~h slc: t 13~, or~nin~ Jl closed lo~p 144 .
Pref~r~bly9 ~f c~ur~;e, ~trap 1O~ i8 pulled tightly through slot 134 ~ h~31dins~ the ~i~e ~undle t~ghtly together. Once the ~eccnd end of ~t~ap 104 i~; in6e~ted through f~lot 134, teeth 116 inhibit the E3trap frc>m being pulled bZ!lck outward thrc~ugh the s lo~ ~
With p~rticular reference ~o Figures 4 ~nd 5, when 9~ ~tr2,p 10~ n~er~e~ througll sloe 13~. from the b~ck end therevf, ~op wall 110 of base member 102 torces str~p teeth 116 into pre~ure engagement with bottom wall 112 of the base aemberO Teeth 116 compre~s ~ligh~ly as they Dove over the back portions of bottom wall 112, and then the teeth expand to their original shape ns they move pnst the baek edge of fr~nt n~tch 13~ ~o that the teeth project slightly below the very t~p of that ed~e. If ~trap 104 is pulled outward, ~o the right a~ viewed in Figure 5, the acur~tely ~l~ped, sharp sides of teeth 116 contact the back edge of notch 136, 25 preventing, or at least inhibiting, further outward movement of the ~trap.
~ nal~gously, with particular r~ference now to Figures 3 ~nd 6, when ~trap 104 ~s inserted throu~h slot 134 from the front end thereof, botto~ ~all 112 of base ~ember 3D 102 force~ ~trap teeth llÇ ~nto pres~ure engagement with ~op ~all 1~0 of the base ~e~ber, Teeth 116 ~ompre~ 61ightly a~
they ~v~ p~t the front portion of ~op wall 110, ~nd then the teeth exp3nd to their original shape ~ th~y ~ove past the front ~d~e of bsck notch 140 Bo thnt they then project 3~ alightly ~bove the very ~ottom of th~t front edg~. If strap -104 i~ pulled ~>utwa~d, to the left 1!18 Yi~wed in ~igure 6, th~
arcu~tely ~h~ped, ~h~rply ~ ped ~ideE; s:~f t~eth 116 engage the ~E~ont-~ds~e of nc>tch 140, p~eventing, ~r ~t loas~
~nhibig:ing, further c3ut~ard ~ovement ~f the str~p.
I!i ~o loe:k h~rne~ 100 ~ithin 2n open~nS;~, toggle ~r~us 122 ~nd 124 ~re ptl~hed into th~ir cc~llap~ed position, between connectirlg arm~ 130 ~nd 132, and then the toggle Drms ~re ~n~erted through the opening. Once inserte~ ~hrough the opening, connectir~ e~be~s 130 ~nd 132 flex outward due ~c>
their lnherent re~ilienc:y, t~nt~ing to pull 'co9ç;11e allembers 122 nd 124 into their exp~nded over-center po~ition. I~
nnecting members 130 ~nd 132 do not pull ~oggle members 122 ~nd 124 completely into their overcenter position ~ the toggle member~ ~nay be pushed ~nto that po~ition~-and, in any 15 case, tte toggle ~e~ber~ ~nay be locked ~n the expanded position- by inserting a ~crew through ~ligned portions of notches 136 ~d 1~0 and opening 134 ~nd u~ing that screw to push the togçlle members outward.
~ apparent from Fi~ures 5 and 6. loop 144 may 20 be formed in t~o slightly different locations. This gives the user of h~rne~s 100 incre~sed flexibility ns to where loop 144 ~y be loc~ted. ~oreo~er, form~tion of loop 144 does not interfere ~it~ ~peration ~f expansible locking ~eans 106, and thus harne~ loo m~y be secured within an opening 25 either pri~r to or after the loop is formed.
~ hen 8tr~p 104 i~ inserted through ~lot 134 from the fr~nt en~ ~hereof ~ ~he 8tr~p does not extend over top w~ll 110 t3~ b~se me~ber 102. In thi~ case, Atr~p 104 Flay be securely lock~d in place by aligning one oiE the op8nings 120 ao of the ~trap ~ith al~gned pc~rtion~ of front and baek no~ches 136 and lJ,0 and w~th central opening 13~, and then inserting ~ean~ ~uch a~ a ~crew, throu~h ~h~s Dpening of Ule ~trap, the aligned portions of notches 136 ~nd 1~ 0, and the ~entr~l opening 134. Thi~ ~;ame xcrew m~y be used to le~ck eoggle arms 35 122 ~nd 124 in their ~verCenter p~si~ion. Of C~ur~e~ ~t~ap ~t~ j9 O~ Dy Ibe unlsck~d ~rs:~m thi~ position ~imply by removing ~he ~bove~men~ i ~ned scr~w .
~ i~ure~ 8 and 9 ~hQw ~n alternA~e ~ire ~rne5s 150 e~mpri~ing locking ~an~ lexible ~trap lS~. ~nd key 6 153~ More ~pecifi al:ly, ls:~cking ~eans 1~1 in~lude~ ~ p2ir of ~ggle ~r~ . collnecting ar3R~ lss. and houlder 156; ~nd key 15~ clude~ handle or grip 157 and body lSB. ~y body 158, ~n turn, ~ncl~d~s cyl~ndr;c~l ~a;n portlon 160. locking flanges 161, and ~tDblizing post lC2. Conn~ctinQ arms 155 gO ~nclude gen~r~lly parallel front portions, ~nd ~lde ~orti~n~
th~t ext~nd outw~rd fr~ those front porti~n~. L~teral ends of toggle ~r~s 154 ~re in~egrally co~nected to ends of oonnecting arms 155, the toggle arms transversely extend ~cro5s the bottom of h~rne~s 150, ~nd centrally located ends ts portion~ of the toggle ~rms are joined together by pivotal ~onnection 163. Sh~ulder 156 is i~tegrally connected to ~nd tr~nsversely extend~ across the front of cc>nnecting ~rns 155.
~ f ir~t end of ~lexible 6trap 152 is integr~lly cc>nnected to locki~g means 151, ~;pecifically shoulder $56, 20 and transver~ely extends there~cross. I~ey body 158 extends forward from ~ fr~n~ fa~e of trap 152, adjacent or near Zl ~econd end thereof, and key grip 157 extends rearward from a baek face of the strap, dire~tly behind the key body.
Locking flas~ge~ 161 radially extend outward from cylindrical 25 portion 160 of key l~ody 158, axially along a majc)r part of the length of that cylir~rical porti~n. Stablizin~ post 162 extends forward from a front face of key body 158.
The first end of flexible strap 152 forms a portion of keyway lC4 which i~ provided to receive key body 158.
30 P~eferably thi~ portion of keyway 16~ i~ located dir~ctly o~ward of ~h~ulder 156, which forms ~ second portion of the keyway, ~llo~ing )sey 153, ~pecific:~lly key body 15~, to be in~er~ed ~hrough be~th 8trap 152 and ~ho~lder 156r l~eyw~3y 164 includes a ~ain cen~rai opening 165 for receiYing ~ain portion lÇ0 of key body 158~ and a pair of notches 165 ~12-extendin~ outwfird from the ~in eentrdl openln3 of the keyway for receîvinQ flanges 161 of the key body. It ~hould be noted that, alternately, the fir~t end of ~trap 152 ~ay orm a keyway that i8 not ~irec~ly forwzlrd of ~houlder 156.
6 ~ith the a~ove-described arr~ngement, flexible ~trap 152 and 153 key ~re ~ovable between an open position (shown in Figure 8~ ~herein ~he key ~ ~paced from keyway 164, ~nd ~ clo~ed po~ition ~8hDwn in Figure 9), ~herein ~he key extends ~ithin the key~ay ~nd eDnnect~ the first ~nd 3econd ends of the Btrap to~e~her ~o form a closed loop.
In u~, to~gle ~rms 154 are 80rced into ~ collapsed position, inserted through an opening ~uch as ~ wall opening, and then allowed to return ~o their expanded position, ~ecuring wire h~rne8~ 1~0 within th~t ~peningO A bundle of 15 wire~ i~ gathered together, Gtrap 152 i8 looped ar~und that bundle, and key 153 i~ in~erted through keyway 164.
A~ will be clear from a review of ~igure B, flanges 161 and notche~ 166 are n~t aligned. That ~s, flan~es 161 slant outwardly from ~ain portion 160 of key ~ody 158 in a 20 first plane, and notches 165 extend outward from centr~l opening 165 of key way 16~ in ~ 6econd pl~ne, and these two planes ~re oriented relntive to each other 80 that the key body ~ust be rot~ted nbout t~ axis of main cylindrical portion th~reof in order to insert flanges 161 through 25 notches 165. Once insert~d through keyway 1~4, key body 158 ~lexes back tcward its origin~l angular orientation relative to notch~s 165 ~o th~t flanges 161 or ~t least portions thereof, project directly reared of ~olid ~urfaces ndjacent keyway 16~. Thi~ inhibits inadvertent ~ovement of key body 3D 1S8 back outvard t~rough key~ay 164. Preferably, flanges 161 ~lant rearwbrdly o~tward, from the front of the key body 15B
toward the b~ck thereof, to ~acilitnte ~o~ing tho~e flanges throu~h ~otches 165r ~l~o, the length o~ key body 158 and st3bili2ing post 162 are ~hosen ~D that, ~hen the ~ey body i5 35 in the clo~d po~ition, the stabilizing poct engages central -;L3--pt~rtic~n~ e~f t~ggle ~ 154, securely holdillg tho~e ~rms in the~r ~xpanded, Dver-center pos;tion.
~ ill be under~;tç~od by tho~e ~kill~d in the art, ~t i~: ns:~t nec~ ry t~at Icey body 15B be prov~ded ~ith a p~ir ~; of lc~ckinçl fl~ng~s 161 in vrd~r tr~ lock tha~ bc~dy in keyway 164. ~c~r ~x~mpl~, key body lSB may be prc~ided with ~ ~in~le fl~nçle 161 to lock th~t key body wi~hin keyway 164. At the ~a~ne t~e, lt ~hould be ob~;erved that key body 158 may hold the tol2gl}~ ar~s 154 ~n their over-center po~iition by engaging lS~ the to~gle ~s~e~bly ---that i8, t2~e ~sse~bly ~o~prising the ti~ 31e 8rm5 ~ns~ pivotz~l c~nnecti~n 153 therebetween --in ~r area or ls:-catiGn other th~n directly in between the toggle Fiçlure~ 10 through 13 ~how ~ third wire harne~s 170 al~o in ~ccordance ~ith this invention. ~rne~s 170 col:pri~es locking neans 171, flexible ~trap 172, ~nd key 173.
Loclsing ~ea~173 includes ~oggle ~ 175, pivotal connectiQn 176, eonnecting arms 177, ~houlder 178 and connecting flange lB0 ~hown in broken line~ in Figure 13).
2~ Toggle 175 arm~ and conne~ting armE 177 operate cubst~ntially ider~tically to toggle anns 154 and connecting arms 155 described above and ~s~ will not be described here in detail.
A first end of flexible strap 1~2 is integrally connected to and transversely extends from locking means 171.
25 With this emb~di~ent of wise harness 170~ this fir6t end of ~trap 172 and loekin~ ~eans 171 alco form a transversely ~xtendin~ groove 181 for receiving intermediate portions o the ~tr~p. ~ore ~pecific~lly, ~h~ulder 178 and ~trap 172 are ~paced ~part hnd connected together by c~nnectin~ flange 180.
3~ which extends betwe~n l~wer p~rtions of 6h~ulder l~æ ~nd ~tr~p 172~
~ ey 173 i~ integr~lly conr3ected to ~tr~p 172 adj~cent or near ~ sec~nd end there~f. ~ith w~r~ h~rness 170, k~y body 182 extend~ rearward from a b~ck f~c~ of ~trap 3~; 172, ~nd key grip 183 extends forward fr~m a fror~t face of ~7~ifi~

khe flexible btr~p~ The fir~t end of fl~xibl~ ~trap 172 for~s a porti~n ~f kQyway 1~4 for ~civing key body 182.
~re toc), prs~er~ly thi6 por~ion of keyw~y 1~ loca~ed directly ~r~rd o shoulder 17a. whi~h f~rm~ cond p~rtion of keyway 1~4, a~ wing k~!y 173, ~pecifically key ~dy 1~2, ~o b~ ln~rted throus~h bo~h ~tr2p 172 and ~houlder 17~., ~ ; will Ibe appr~ciated by tho~;e skilled in the art, key body 182 2nay be prov$dled ~ith flançles analogous to lot:king flanges 161 of harne s 150, ~nd keyway 184 ;nay be provided w~th nc~t~:hes analogc~us to notches 166 of keyway 164, ~hich would cvopera'ce together, jUE;t R~; ~Isnges 161 and slotehes 16~ do, lto loc~c key body 182 ~ithin keyway 184.
Also, keyway 184 ~ay be ~orn-ed by a portion of the first end 1~; f flexible ~;trap 172 that is not directly forward of ~houlder 178. ~lexible E;trap 172 fonn~ nultitud~ o openings lg5 betwe~n keyway 184 and key 173 and which have ~hape~ ~ubs~an~ially identic~l to the ~hape of the keyway.
~ith wire harness 170, ~trap 172 snd key 173 also 2Dare ~upported for ~ovement between an open position (~hown in Figure 10), wherein the key i6 spaced from keyway 184, and a closed position (~hown in Figure 12), wherein the key extends within the keyway ~nd ~onnect6 the fir~t and second ends of the flexible ~trap together to fonm a closed loop. With this 25embc,diment, ~hen key 173 and ~"r~p 172 Dre in the closed positic~n, ~n irltermediate portic;n of the ~lexible IStrap e~ct~nds thr~uç31!i s~roove 181, ~nd the ~trap arld ghe key actu311y ~ rDI D p~ir of loops, either or both of which may be used to hold a bundle Of wires or ~nother object~
3~ In u~e, t~g1~ ar~as 175 llre ~c~rced into ~ co11~pse~
pc~sition ~nd therl ln~erted ~hrough ~n opening. A bundl~ of wires is ~athered to~;~ether, ~trap 17~ i6 loop~d ~round th~t bundle, and ~n intermediate portion of the ~trsp i~ inserted into grc~ove 181- ~hi~ ~nay be don~, for in~tanc~J by ~;ianply 35 ~lipping an intermediate portisn of ~trap 172 ~ownward through the t~p ~f groOve 181. Strap 172 i~ positioned ~o that one o~ the c~penings 185 ther~t)f is ~ligned with keyway 184, and then key body 182 i~ ~n~rted throus;~h the 1seyway ~nd the ~ligned 8~rnlp openin~. The length of koy body lB2 is cAc~en ~o th~t, ~dhen ~he key body 1~ fully in~erted through ~eywsy 1~ h~ ~ey en~a~es ~n~ curely hold~ togQle arm~
175 in their ~xpanded or oYer c~nter po~ition.
~ igur~s 14 ~n~ 15 illustra~e another wire h~rne~
lgO co~ri~ing l~ckin~ ~an~ 191, connecting post 192i and 10 1exible $tr~p 191. Lik~ locking ~ean~ 151 and 1~1 de~cribed a~ove, locking ~ean~ 191 ~omprises a pair ~f t~ggle arms 135, a pair 3f connecting ~rmr 196, and ~houlder 1g7. Locking ~eans 191 operates ~ubstanti~lly identieally to l~cking means 151 and 171 de~cribed a~ove, ~nd it i~ henc0 felt unnecessary 15 to describe the operation of locking ~eans 191 here in detail.
A back ~nd of post 192 i~ integrally formed with ~hDulder 197 ~nd axially extends forward therefrom. A first end of strap 193 i~ integ~ally formed with a front end of 2n post 192 ~nd transversely extends therefrom. Strap 193 defines ~t le~st one and preferably a plurality of openings 198 for receiving lockin~ ~eans 191; ~nd the flexible strap ~ay be as long a~ desired, depending on the particular ~pplic~tion for wire harness 190. Nith this arrangement, 25 ~trap 193 6upport~ connecting post 192 and locking ~eans 191 for ~ovement between an open position (~hown in Figure 14), wherein the loeking me~ns is located on a fir~t ~ide of ~nd paced from the flexible strap, ~nd ~ closed position (6hown in Figure 15)~ wherein the locking means ~xtends 3~ within a str~p openin~ 198 and ~ngages a ~econd ~ide of the 1exible ~trap to connect th~ ~trAp ~nd the ~onnecting post to~ether to for~ ~ clossd lo~p.
~n u~e~ a bundle ~f ~ires is gathered together, locking means 191 is loop~d ~round that bundle, ~nd then 3~ toggle ~rms 195 are oollapsed and inserted through one of the 7~

~trap openins~ H. 'Toggle am~ S ~re then in~erted through ~ns3ther op~3nin~ such a~ a ~11 speninS1 and Itllc>wed tv expand to their sver-(:enter ps:~si~ n to secur* wire harness 190 i~ hat l~tte~ openins;~.
~ 9ith re5~rd, Y~ o ~ ure~ 16 ~nd 17, plastic 5~11 han51er 2û0 51enerally c:ompri~es channel portion 202, hook portion 204" ~nd expan~ible lockin~ means 206, Preferably, ll~ns~er 200 ~lso lnclud~ front. reiLnfc>rcinçl fl~nge 210 and flexible pin 212; anâ hook portisn ;!04 includes f~ont ~nd back legs 214 and 216 and ba e member 2209 which ts)gether form recess 222~
~ xpan~ible locking ~neans 206 i~ inte~r~lly connected ~so chanrli31 portion 202 and is provided to secure ~all hans~er 200 within an c~penin~ such 1!1$ ~I wall openin~.
15 Expansible lc>cking me~ns 206 is sub~3tantially identical to expansibl~ locking means 106 described ~bove and~ thu~, will not be de~cr'i~bed in det~il here.
Channel portion 202 ~f w~ll hanger 200 has ~
generally cylindrical ~hape, and the channel portion has a 20 hollow, longitudinal opening 224 aligned with central opening 226 of expan~ible locking ~e~ns 206. Opening 224 i~ provided to receive ~e~n~ to lock the expan~ible locking m~ns in an overcenter position.
~ook portion 204 extsnds upwards from and i~
25 directly ~upported by channel portion 202- that is, the hook portion either is contiguous to ~r i8 it~elf for~ed in part by the ch~nnel portion of wall hanyer 200. ~ore ~pecific~lly, front ~nd b~ck legs 214 ~nd 216 ~f hook portiGn 204 are parall21 to ~nd longitudinally ~paced from each other 30 and extend upw~rd ~ubstantially perpendicular to ~he longitudinal axi~ of ohannel p~rtion 202. Bage 220 of hook portion 204 i~ ~pw2rdly ~onc~ve ~nd ~urv2s bet~een ~ront ~nd back 10~s 214 and 216 9f the h~ok por~ion. ~i~h the em~odiment ~P ~he ~nvention shown in Fi~urefi 8 nd ~, base 3~ 220 i~ fon~ed, in part, by ~n upper ~ection of ch~nnel ,~ ~t~
.

portis~n 2~2~ L~c~ti~ hook portion 204 ~ither conti~uous to or f~r~ing it, Irl p~rtr by ch~nnel portion 202 in~urQ~ that ~ny ~cr~w or rod ~nsert~ into opening 222 of the ch~nnel ~mber in a clo~e f it ~ith ~he inE~id~ ~urfac~l; thereof directly ~upp~rts hook pcsr~ion 20~l, and 3ny le~ads pl~ced therec~n .
Front 1ange 210 ~xtend~; for~ard from front le~ 214 of h~k p~rti~n 204 ~nd up~ard fr~m ch~nnel port~on 202 t~
reinforce th~t le9 21~. More ~p~cific~lly, flange 210 exte~ds forw~rd fro~ the transver~e ~enter ~f leg 214 and ~pw~rd fro~ the top, transYer~e center ~f channel portion 2~2, and the ront edge of flange 212 ~8 ~ub~tanti~lly ~opl~nar ~ith the ront edge of the channel portion 202. The upper portion o~ flange 210 terminate~ in lockin~ pin 212, w~ich lon~itudin~lly project~ rear~ard ~ htly over reces~
222 to f~cilit~te retainin~ ~n cbject ~herein. Fr~nt leg 21 and ~ront 1~ange 210 ~r~s ~liyhtly flexible, though, ~nd in particul~r can be bent or p~she~ forward ~lightly. ~hiC
~llows an ~bject hav~ng ~ wi~th appr~xim~tely equal to the l~n~itudin~l ~imension of recess 222 to be ~ved into and out of th~t rece~s despite the presence of locking pin 212.
To use w~ll hanger 200. toggle ar~s 230 ~nd 232 ~re pughed int~ the area 234 between connecting arms 236 and 240, and then the toggle ar~ are inserted through a hole or opening. Once in6erted thr~ugh that opening, connecting arms 236 and 2~0 flex outward, p~lling toggle arms 230 and 232 towa~d their e~panded, overcenter position. ~ns, sueh ~s a ~c~w, having ~n ~ut~ide diameter ~ub~tantially equal to the in~ide di~meter of longitudinal opening 224 i5 inserted through that ~pening to pu~h t~ggle arm~ 230 ~nd 232 in~o and ~o keep both t~ggle ~rms in ~heir ~verce~ter po~itionO
Onc~ wall han~er 200 is ~eeured in pl~ce, ~n object zuch ~ ~ rod i~ ~ount~d on the w~ll hanger by ~i~ply pl~cing ~t in reces~ ~2~ Typically, hanger 200 will b~ u~ed with one or ~ore additional~ identical wall hanger~, with all the h n~er6 ~ec~re~ to a wAll ~t the ~lme height ~nd horiz~nt~lly hsly ~p~ed ~pArt . ~ rod i~ ~c,ved ~nt~ the rsces~es of these hori~t~lly aligned w~ll hnn3er6, 8upp~r~ing the rod ~t ~ pred~termined hei~ht. Retaining pin 212 lnhibits ina~Y~rtDn~ upward moYement o~ the rod ou~ o~ rece~ 222.
Rope anch4r 300 i~ illuxtr~t~d in ~igur~s lB, 19~
20 and 21; and generally the rope anchor include~ f irEt ~nd ~econd legs 302 ~nd 304, annul~r ring 306 and expan~ible locking ~ean~ 310. ~egs 302 and 304 are ~paeed apart, and 10 ring 306 i~ in~e~rally conn~ted to ~op longitudin~l ends of tho&e legs. Ring 306 forms centr~l, circular opening 312, and the axi~ of thi~ opening extends tr~nsver~ely across rope nnchor 300, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of legs 302 ~nd 304.
Expansible locking means 310 is integrally connected to bottom longitudinal end~ of legs 30~ and 304 and, 6i~ilar to expansible locking means 106 and 206 de~cribed Rbo~, is provided ~o ~ecure anchor 300 within an opening. L~ckin~ ~eans 3~0 is slightly different f~om the 20 expansible locking means 106 and 206 previously discussed in th~t the pivotal connection 312 between centrally located ends of toggle arms 314 and 316 transversely extends continuously between those ends of the toggle arms--that is, this piYot~l connection doe~ not f~rm any central opening.
Anchor 300 i~ primarily intended for use with a rope, and even more ~pecifically, to connect a rope to ~nother ring, ~uch ~s ~ ring which ~ay be ~ecured to ~ deck of a bo~t or to ~ pier. To to this, a first end of the rope i~ ~lipped through opening 3~3 of ring 306; and ~ knot i~
30 formed in th~ rope, bet~een that fir~t end of the rope ~nd ring 306, preventing anchor 300 from fallin~ off th~t end of the rope. With r~ference to Figure 21, which ~hows rope 324 inserted through ring 306~ rope 330 ~ay then be connected to ~ome other object 326 havin~ sn ~pening 340 ~i~ply ~y 35 oollapsing connecting arm~ 320 and 322 and toggl~ arms 314 ~7~9 ~nd 316 ~nd in~ertin~ those ann~ through ~pening 33~. Once ~r~ 31~, 316, 320 ~nd 322 are ln~rted through openinçl 330, connec~in~ ~nns 320 ~nd 3~2 flex outw~d, p~ n~ ~oggl~ a~s 314 ~9nd 316 into tlheir overcenter po~ition.
~ c~u~e both ~ides of llnt:hor 300 are ~ccg~6ible, ~f connsc~ing arDIl~ 3~0 and 322 dg no~ pull toggl~ arm~ 314 and 316 complet~ly into the overcent~r pt~itiorl, the toggle arms can be ~anually pulled into that po6i~ic)n. To remove anchor 300 from the ring 326, tc~gle ar~s 314 and 316 ~nd 10 connectinç~ ns 320 and 322 are Manu~lly collap~ed and then w~thdrawn thr~ugh openinSl 330. Because toggle ar~s ~14 and 316 of anchor 300 are acce~ible durirlg the u~e of the ~nchor, it i~ n~t nece~sary to provide the anchor with lon~itudinal oE~enin~a which would give aceess tc~ the toggle 1~ arms ~Erom the ~ront ~f 'che anchor, nor is it necess~ry to provide pivc>tal conn~ction 330 between toggle srms 320 and 322 wit~ z- central openinS~, an~logous to ~he centr~l oper~ings 134 and 226 di~cu~sed ~bove.
It sh~uld be n~ted th~t ~n~hor 300 ~ay be used in 20 other ways. For ex~mple, toggle arms ~14 ~nd 316 ~ay be ~nserted thr~ugh the weave of a rope, ~ither ~ompletely thr~ugh or into the interior thereof, to connect ~he anchor to the rope, with ring 306 then u~ed to connect the rope to ~ome other object ~uch as a hook or an~ther rope. Also, of 25 course, it ifi not necessary that toggle arms 314 and 316 be ~cce~ible after being inserted thr~ugh ~n opening. This is so bec~u~e normally connecting arms 320 und 322 will pull toggle ~rm~ 31~ ~nd 316 ~ufficiently outward ~ward their expanded p~sition to hold ~nchor 300 ~ecurely in place even 3~if th~ to~gle ~rms ~re not pulled over ~enter. Indeed, with . the ~mbodiment of rope ~nchor 300 di~cus~ed ~bove, ~t i~
prcferred th~t ~onnecting Arm8 314 and 31~ nct pull t~ggle ~em~ers over eenter ~o ~h~t, in ca~ç the ~oggle ~r~s are not acce~sible after being ~nserted throu~h an ~pening, the 35 anch~r can be removed fr~m that opening by pulling the . 1~7~ifi~

~20-~nchor, and ~pecifically ~he ~o~gle arms ~hereof, firmly outward.
~ i~ure~ 22 throu~h 26 illustrate ~ ~econd rope anchor 350 which compri~es ir~t arld ~econd 1~9~ 352 and 3s4, ~xpansible locking ~eans 356, an~ annular rinD 360, with the expansible loekin~ ~eans, in turn, including fir6t ~nd 6econd toggle arms 362 ~nd 36~ ~nd first and second connecting arm5 366 and 37~O ~nchor 350, though, i~ for~ed fro~ inside 6trip 372 and outside strip 37~ with connecting p~rtion 376 extending between ~he~e strips. Inside ~nd outside strips 372 and 37~ are ~ubstantially parallel to and slightly ~paced from 0ach other throughout 6ubstantially their entire length.
In~ide ~trip 372 traver~es the inside pe-imeter of anchor 350, ~nd in particular forms the inside surfaces of ring 360, 75 legs 352 ~nd 354, toggle ar~s 362 and 364, and connecting arms 366 and 3~0. Outside ~trip 374 traverses the outside peri~eter of ànchor 300 and forms the out~ide surfaces of rin~ 360, legs 3~2 and 254, toggle ams 362 ~nd 364, and connecting arms 366 and 370.
Inside ~trip 372 h~s a substantially uniform width--that is, the top to bottom dimension as viewed in Figure 23--while outside ~trip 370 has ~ non-uniform width.
In ~articular, the portions of toggle arms 362 ~nd 364 that ~re for~ed by out~ide ~trip 372 have a uniform width that is 25 greater than the width of inside strip 372; and the portions of ~nnular ring 360, legs 352 ~nd 354, and c~nnecting arms 366 and 370 that are f~rmed by outside ~trip 372 h~ve ~
~ubst~ntially unif~r~ width, which i8 le~s than the width nf the in~ide ~trip. Both 6trip8 372 and 374, however, are 30 ~ymmetrical about ~ csntral pl~ne extending through ~nchor 300 from the front to the back ther~of--that is the plane ~dentified by the line CL-C~ in ~isure 23. ~trips 372 and 3~4 ar~ slightly ~p~ced apart thr~ughout ~heir ~ntire length, ~xcept at the adjacent central ends of toggl~ ar~s 3~2 and 364, wh~ lips 3B0 of ~utside ~trip 374 extend inward into ~ontact with ~dj~cent portions of inside gtrip 372.
Connectiny portion 376 laterally ~xtends ~etween ~nd integrally ~or.nect~ together inside and outside ~trips 372 and 374 ~lsng their entire lengths. Connecting p~rtion 376 i~ 8ubst~ntially ~entrally loc~t~d ~etween front and ~ack ~ides ~f inside and outside 6trips 372 and 374. Portion 376 increase the stiffness ~nd stren~th of strips 372 and 374.
At the ~ame time, strips 372 ~nd 374 and p~r~ion 376 cooperate to define ront peripheral reces~ 380 ~nd back peripheral recess 382. Recesses 3B0 and 382 provide space between upper ~djacent and lower adjacent portions of strips 372 ~nd 374, allowing those portions of ~nchor 350 to flex slightly during use of the anchor. Rope ~nchor 350 is - 15 in~ended for high strength applic~tion, ~nd with this embodiment, connecting arms 366 ~nd 370 are sufficiently stiff to virtually insure that the connecting arms force toggle nrms 362 ~nd 364 into an overcenter position after the toggle arms have been passed through an opening.
Fiqures 27 through 31 ~how plastic ceiling anchor 4no generally comprising base member 402 having a threaded exterior portion 404, expansible lockin~ means 406 and attachment ring 408. The base member ~02 is preferably a hollow tube which is integrally molded to ring ~08, exterior portion 404, ~nd expansible locking means 406. Expansible locking means 406 includes first and second toggle arms 410 and 412, pivotal connecting joint 414, and firs~ and second flexible ~onnecting arms ~16 and 418.
~he ~arious pieces ~re formed by an inje~ion ~olding process utilizing a suitable flexible plastic ma~erial ~s described above with regard to the otAer fasteners. ~imil rly, expansible locking means 40~ is ~ubstantially identical to expansible locking ~ean~ 106 Qf Figures 1-7 ~s descri~ed above. The expansible-locking means provides ~ecure attachmen~ ts a wall or ceiling opening so ~t7 ~2-that ring 40~ can ~UppoEt th~ weight of an obje~k to be ~ttach~ ~r ~upported.
Exterior portion ~04 i provided wi~h thread~ 420 on it~ 3ut~r di~mete~ ~o ns ~o ~ or ~onne~tion of cover pl~te 422~ This eover pla~e 422 has ~ ~ylindrical portlon 424 which has thre~ds 426 ~n its internal diameter. Cover plate ~22 i~ dimensioned and configured s~ that the internal di~meter ~nd threads 426 of tubular por~ion ~24 ~orrespond 7~ precisely ~o the outer diameter ~nd thre~ds 420 of exterior portion 404. ~his ~llows the ~over pl~te 422 to be firmly ~ttached ~o anchor 400 while providing two advantages:
1) disk 428 covers the hole in the wall or ~eiling ~hrough which the expansible locking means 406 ~f the anchor 400 ~re inserted to provide a more deeorative appearance, and 2~ disk 428 can be tightened by rotation over the threads 420 of the exterior portion to more firmly secure anchor 400 to the wall or ~eiling, Figures 32 through 35 ~how a plastic deck anchor 450 generally comprising base member 452 having flange 454 with reinforcing channel 458 and expansible locking means 456. The ba6e member 452 is prefera~ly a hollow tu~e which is integrally mold~d to flange 454, channel 458, ~nd expansible locking means 456 by an injecti~n molding process, using ~uitab~e plastic material as previously described~ The expansible locking means 456 is substantially identical to expansible locking ~eans 106 ~f Figure 1 to 7.
In this ~rr~ngement, th~ expansible locking means ~56 are collbpsed ~nd inser~ed into a hole in a steel plate or ~ecking. Then, a met~l ~tud, J-bolt, or eye bolt, or ~imil~r me~hani~al ~nchoring member (not ~h~wn~ i~ inserted into tube ~52 o a5 to fi~ nugly within the tube with one end o ~he me~berc ~ui~ably bearing external ~cxew threads, proje~ting out from the expansible lo~king means 456, and the - ~71~fi~

other end having ~ head~ or 3 or eye, prDjecting out fr4m the end of the tube 4~2. As a result" the member will be held in an uprigh~ position ~nd will cause the exp~nsible locking ~e~ns ~56 to expand to its l~cked position, if not ~lready in th~t positi~n. Then~ concrete or cement (or ~ven adhesive~
can be poured around the tube por~tion 452 of ~he anchor 450 to ~echanically int~rlock with ~he exposed head or J or eye ~f the ~nch~ring ~ember ~nd ~ecure the an~hor in it5 vertical pos~ti~n. ~he exposed screw threaded opp~site ~nd of th~
~nch~ri~g member bel~w the concrete filled decking may th~n be usea to ~uppo~t pipe fi~tings or hang~rs, 6usp2nded ceiling hangers, ~nd fiimilar -tructural parts~ ~n addition t~ providing ~daitional ~echanical etrength to the plastic ~S ~nchor, chann~l 458 allows some ~f the pourea cement or concrete to flow ~etween it and the decking for ~dditi~nal ~trength ~nd ~t~bility.
~hile it is ~ppare~t that the inventi~n herein ~isclosed fulfills the objects previously describea~ it will 20 be ~ppreciated that numerous ~odification~ and embodiments ~f this inventi~n will be evident or may be devised by those ~killed in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims cover all fiuch modifications, embodiments, and all equivalents thereof, as f~ll within the ~rue ~pirit and scope of t~e present invention.

Claims

1. An integrally molded one piece plastic fastener for holding or supporting at least one elongated item comprising:
an elongated body member;
expansible locking means integrally connected to a first side of said elongated body member and having a collapsed position for insertion through an opening in a structural member and an overcenter expanded position to lock said fastener within said opening, with a second side of said elongated body member extending from said opening in said structural member, with said locking means comprising:
(a) a pair of connecting arms integrally connected to said first side of said body member and extending outwardly away therefrom;
(b) a pair of toggle arms connected to lateral ends of said connecting arms and extending inwardly therefrom; and (c) means connecting the inward ends of said toggle arms together for pivotal movement between said collapsed and expanded positions and wherein, in said expanded position said toggle arms are in said overcenter position with said fastener being thereby securely locked to said structural member; and means for holding or supporting an object, said means being integrally connected to said second side of said elongated body member whereby said object is attached to said structural member by said holding or supporting means.

2. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein said body member further comprises means for attaching a cover member; said attaching means comprising a threaded area located on the exterior of said body member and said cover member having a corresponding threaded area on an interior surface for engagement with said body member.

3. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein said means for holding or supporting the object is a ring.

4. The fastener according to claim 2 wherein said cover member comprises a circular disk having a central aperture which is dimensioned and threaded to correspond to the threading on the exterior of said body member.

5. A one piece integrally molded plastic anchor comprising:
(a) a base member having a channel portion;
(b) elongated extension means integrally connected to a first side of said base member for supporting and attaching an object thereto; and (c) expansible locking means integrally connected to a second side of said base member and having a collapsed position for insertion through an opening defined by a structural member and an overcenter expanded position to lock said anchor within said opening, with said locking means comprising:
(i) a pair of connecting arms integrally connected to said second side of said base member and extending outwardly away therefrom:
(ii) a pair of toggle arms connected to lateral ends of said connecting arms and extending inwardly therefrom; and (iii) means connecting the inward ends of said toggle arms together for pivotal movement between said collapsed and expanded positions and wherein, in said expanded position, said toggle arms are in said overcenter position with said fastener being thereby securely locked to said structural member;
said base member also defining an open pathway to receive means for pushing said locking means into said expanded position.

6. The anchor according to claim 5 wherein said elongated extension means is a tube.

7. The anchor according to claim 6 wherein said tube has a cylindrical configuration.

8. The anchor according to claim 7 wherein said cylindrically configured tube supports a structural element

9. The anchor according to claim 8 wherein said structural element is a threaded rod or bar.

10. A one-piece, integrally molded plastic fastener comprising:

a base portion;

means integrally connected to a first side of said base portion for securing an object thereto; said securing means being dimensioned and configured for contact with at least a substantial portion of the perimeter of said objection; and expansible locking means integrally connected to a second side of said base portion and having a collapsed position for insertion through an opening defined by a structural member and an overcenter expanded position to lock said fastener within said opening; whereby said object is attached to said structural member by said fastener, with said locking means comprising:
(a) a pair of connecting arms integrally connected to said second side of said base portion and extending outwardly away therefrom;
(b) a pair of toggle arms connected to lateral ends of said connecting arms and extending inwardly therefrom; and (c) means connecting the inward ends of said toggle arms together for pivotal movement between said collapsed and expanded positions and wherein, in said expanded position, said toggle arms are in said overcenter position with said fastener being thereby securely locked to said structural member.

11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said securing means is a flexible strap.

12. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said base portion is a connecting post and said securing means is a flexible strap.

13. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said securing means comprises a hooked portion and said base portion comprises a channel portion.

14. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said securing means comprises ring means.

15. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said securing means is a hollow elongated extension and said base member further comprises a channel portion.

16. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said elongated object is a rope, wire, cable, rod, bar, stud, bolt or the like.

17. The fastener according to claim 1 wherein said means for holding or supporting the object is a hook.

18. The fastener of claim 11 wherein said flexible strap is elongated, with a first end portion thereof connected to a first side of said base portion, and a second end portion spaced from said base portion; said fastener further comprising means adjacent said base portion to secure said second end portion of said strap therein; with said base portion further including an open pathway to receive means for pushing said locking means into said expanded position, and forming a transverse slot to receive said second end portion of the strap in a close sliding fit and to urge said engaging means into pressure engagement with said base portion; said slot having opposite first and second transverse ends each adapted to receive said second end portion of the strap.

19. The fastener of claim 18 wherein:
(a) said base portion further comprises:
(i) a bottom wall, (ii) a top wall, and (iii) means extending between said top and bottom walls to maintain the walls spaced apart; and (b) the open pathway is formed by:
(i) a first notch in said bottom wall, and (ii) a second notch in said top wall and extending over at least a portion of said first notch.

20. The fastener of claim 19 wherein said strap further comprises a series of longitudinally spaced apart openings to facilitate locking said second end portion of the strap in said slot in a range of preselected positions.

21. The fastener of claim 20 wherein said strap is integrally connected to a transverse edge of said top wall adjacent the first transverse end of the slot to facilitate inserting said second end portion of the strip into the slot through said first transverse end thereof without passing the strap over the notch in the top wall of the base portion.

22. The fastener of claim 10 wherein said flexible strap has one end integrally connected to said base portion and an opposite end extending therefrom; with a key being integrally connected to said opposite end of said strap; said integral connection of said base portion with the flexible strap including a keyway to receive said key; and said strap and key being movable between an open position, wherein the key is spaced from said keyway, and a closed position, wherein the key extends within the keyway and connects said base portion and opposite end of the strap together to form a closed loop.

23. The fastener of claim 22 wherein:
(a) said key further comprises a body having:
(i) a main portion, and (ii) at least one flange extending outward from the main portion of said key body;
(b) the keyway further comprises:
(i) a main portion for receiving said main portion of the key body, and (ii) at least one notch extending outward from said main portion of the keyway for receiving said at least one flange of the key body; and (c) said at least one flange and said notch being non-aligned to facilitate holding said key body within said keyway.

24. The fastener of claim 22 wherein said keyway is located directly forward of said toggle arms; and said key further comprises a body extending outward from said strap; such that when the key and the strap are in the closed position, said key engages said toggle arms thereby holding them in the expanded position.

25. The fastener of claim 22 wherein:
(a) said key further comprises a body;
(b) said strap and said locking means form a groove for receiving an intermediate portion of the strap; and (c) said intermediate portion of the strap has at least one strap opening for receiving said key body; such that when said key and strap are in the closed position, said intermediate portion of the strap extends within said groove, and said key body extends through said keyway and strap opening to connect said first and second ends of the strap with said intermediate portion thereof together to form a pair of closed loops.

26. The fastener of claim 25 wherein said locking means further comprises:
(a) a shoulder having an opening for receiving the key body; and (b) a spacing flange extending between and integrally connecting together said shoulder and strap.

27. The fastener of claim 12 with said connecting post having a back end integrally connected to said expansible locking means and axially extending forward therefrom; and said flexible strap being integrally connected to and transversely extending from a front end of said connecting post, said strap having at least one opening for receiving said locking means; and said strap supporting said connecting post and expansible locking means for movement between an open position, wherein said locking means is located on a first side of and is spaced from the strap, and a closed position, wherein said locking means extends within said opening and engages a second side of the strap to connect the strap and the post together to form a closed loop.

28. The fastener of claim 27 wherein said expansible locking means further comprises a shoulder integrally connected to said connecting post; with said connecting arms extending rearward and outward away from said shoulder and integrally connected therewith.

29. The fastener of claim 13 wherein said hooked portion extends upward from and is directly supported by said channel portion; with said channel portion having a longitudinal channel opening to receive holding means to maintain said locking means in the expanded position, said channel opening being located directly below said hooked portion to facilitate using the holding means to directly support said hooked portion.

30. The fastener of claim 29 wherein said hooked portion forms an upwardly extending recess, and further comprises a flexible locking pin longitudinally projecting over said recess.

31. The fastener of claim 30 wherein:
(a) said hooked portion further comprises:
(i) front and back upwardly extending, longitudinally spaced apart legs, (ii) a base longitudinally extending between said front and back legs, and (iii) a front reinforcing flange extending forward from said front leg and upward from said channel portion;
(b) an upper part of said front reinforcing flange forms the locking pin; and (c) said base forms a part of said channel portion.

32. The fastener of claim 14 with said base portion having first and second longitudinally extending, spaced apart legs connected to a first side thereof; with said ring means comprising an annular connecting ring connected to a second side of said base portion and forming a central aperture having an axis; and said expansible locking means being connected to said first and second legs; said axis of said connecting ring being oriented transversely to said opening.

33. The fastener according to claim 32 wherein:
(a) said first and second legs, annular connecting ring, and locking means all are formed by an outside strip, an inside strip, and a connecting portion;
(b) said outside and inside strips are substantially parallel to and slightly spaced from each other substantially throughout their entire length;
(c) said connecting portion extends between said and outside strips to integrally connect those strips together; and (d) said inside and outside strips and connecting portion form:
(i) a front recess extending between said inside and outside strips and forward of said connecting portion, and (ii) a back recess extending between said inside and outside strips and rearward of said connecting portion.

34. The fastener according to claim 33 wherein said inside strip has a substantially uniform first width.

35. The fastener according to claim 34 wherein said expansible locking means further comprises means connecting said toggle arms to said first and second legs; with portions of said toggle arms being formed by said outside strip having a second, substantially uniform width which is greater than said first width.

36. The fastener according to claim 35 wherein said connecting portion of the annular connection ring, first and second legs, and connecting means formed by the outside strip further comprises a third, substantially uniform width which is less than the first width.

37. The fastener according to claim 36 wherein said connecting portion is substantially centrally located between front and back sides of said inside and outside strips.